Jewellery Stand

I have attended several craft shows w my wire art but don't feel it's the right audience...what should i do?

I create a wide variety of wire art...from jewelry to candle holders and more. I have attended several arts and crafts shows to display my art and I hear a lot of good things about my stuff...but not many people actually buy it. I've also been told it's art for younger...hip...(non-doilies and dish towels) crowd. How do I find the right place for my art...somewhere other than grandma's craft show? ( I mean this in the most polite way)

Public Comments

1. If you truly believe you have to reach a younger audience, try locating and displaying your art at shows at colleges and Univesities.
2. adding to what mr g says, look for shops around colleges and universities that could sell the work for you-also museum shops and galleries and tourist places
3. Even an entire, single season of craft fairs may not be enough for you to get the "feel" of where your work may sell. It may also take a little more time for word of mouth about your product to circulate. One thing that IS critical, is for people to be able to contact you BETWEEN shows. If someone sees your art, purchased by a friend, or if a previous custome wants to buy more, it will not serve you well for them to have to wait for the next show to find you. Consider mail order sales. Develop a catalogue, or extensive brochure. Design a website, and, of course, keep promoting your business AWAY from, and outside of te craft show market. If done properly, the money you spend displaying your work in a craft show can be considered a promotion for your mail order sales. Use the shows to make contacts and network your business. Even your competitors can offer help if your pieces are uniquely different than yours. Find out, from them, if there are other distribution outlets they use. Meanwhile, find out about vendors licenses at concerts and other musical venues. Consider vending at other events, such as monster truck shows, automobile and motorcycle races and car shows. Perhaps, even, develop a product that fits in with those venues. Good luck. The art show season begins now, and builds as we appoach summer.
4. Try selling on the internet. Also, as some others have said check out colleges near you. Some are willing to display local art & craft items that are for sale. There are also some art galleries that sell local art for a percentage of the profits.